Memorial Day Wreath-Laying & Parade

How it was

This year's edition is over — the lineup, schedule, and notes below are kept as the record of 2026.

What to expect

Chicago's official Memorial Day commemoration. Begins at 11 a.m. with a wreath-laying ceremony at Daley Plaza (50 W. Washington), followed at noon by the parade stepping off State Street from Lake to Van Buren. Veterans groups, active-duty service members, JROTC cadets, marching bands, and community organizations. 2026 Grand Marshal is Rear Admiral Zeita Merchant, U.S. Coast Guard.

Transit

Any Loop CTA stop works — Red Line to Lake or Monroe, Blue Line to Washington, Brown/Purple/Pink/Green/Orange to State/Lake or Madison/Wabash. Metra to Millennium Station is a 5-minute walk. Avoid driving entirely; State Street and several cross streets close from late morning into early afternoon.

Bag policy

No formal bag check; CPD presence is heavy and a visual check at the Daley Plaza ceremony is likely.

Family-friendly

Excellent for kids — flat, wide State Street sidewalks, predictable timing, and the marching bands are a hit. Stroller-easy. Bring sun cover; State Street has no shade. Restrooms are scarce on the route — use Macy's or the Block 37 mall before stepping off.

Local tips

1. Stake out the east side of State Street between Madison and Adams for the best afternoon shade and an unobstructed view.
2. Skip Daley Plaza if you only have time for one — the parade is more visual and kid-friendly than the ceremony.
3. The wreath-laying ceremony is livestreamed at Chicago.gov/live if the weather's bad.
4. It's a working downtown Saturday — the parade ends at Van Buren but the surrounding restaurants are open and uncrowded right after.
5. Don't confuse this with the suburban Memorial Day parades; this is the downtown one. Check route maps day-of as DCASE sometimes shifts the start point.
6. If you're with a flag-waving crowd, kid handheld flags get handed out near the start at Lake — show up by 11:45 a.m.